Mr. Portman (for himself
and Mr. Begich) introduced the following
bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Veterans'
Affairs

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to assist in
the identification of unclaimed and abandoned human remains to determine if any
such remains are eligible for burial in a national cemetery, and for other
purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the
Veterans Missing in America Act of
2012.

2.

Sense of
Congress

Congress recognizes
the tireless work and dedication of the members of the Missing in America
Project, in conjunction with numerous veterans service organizations, in
identifying the unclaimed remains of veterans.

3.

Identification of
unclaimed and abandoned human remains

(a)

Identification
of unclaimed or abandoned human remains

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
cooperate with veterans service organizations to assist entities in possession
of unclaimed or abandoned human remains in determining if any such remains are
the remains of veterans or other individuals eligible for burial in a national
cemetery.

(b)

Burial of
unclaimed or abandoned human remains

If the Secretary determines that any
unclaimed or abandoned human remains are the remains of a person who is
eligible for burial in an open national cemetery under the control of the
National Cemetery Administration under section 2402 of title 38, United States
Code, the Secretary shall provide for the burial of the remains and cover the
cost of the burial of the remains and the cost of preparing the remains and
transporting them to the place of burial, if the Secretary determines, with
respect to the remains—

(1)

that there is no
next of kin or other person claiming the remains; and

(2)

that there are not
available other sufficient resources to cover burial and funeral
expenses.

(c)

Creation of
national database

The Secretary shall establish a database in
which the Secretary shall enter the names of any veteran or other individual
identified pursuant to subsection (a). The Secretary shall ensure that the
database is publicly accessible.